Sailing on San Francisco Bay

Elisa and Lorraine and I went sailing for a few hours. We had a nice time, the boat did well in varying winds. The usual boating goodness.

Sun, Aug. 31st, 2003, 11:43 am

It’s a good thing I’m not obsessed with sailing, eh?

So Robertta and Ellen and I left the dock yesterday afternoon (we’ll call it “after work” — sure, why not?) and headed to Sausalito onboard my lovely Amelia. We actually got some quasi-vigorous wind near the slot, then got caught in the wind shadow behind Angel Island. I find it annoying that such extremes are so close to each other. Anyway, through Racoon Strait, then we sailed into Sausalito past the Robert C. Seamans which was anchored past the channel.

Per Ellen’s request, we went there to grab a mooring and listen to the evening Jazz fest that was happening on shore. We had a nice dinner and listened to the music. I found Ellen’s behavior interesting and somewhat amusing. She is used to being the captain of her boat, so having to do things someone else’s way seemed to be a little strange for her. As always, we had great fun and great conversation.

We left the anchorage as the sun was setting, and motored home. The moon was out and San Francisco was sparkling in the distance. It was like a postcard. I felt so lucky to be in such a beautiful place, and to be able to see it from a perspective that many people never have the chance to experience. Yet another reminder how sailing has changed my life for the better.

On the way home, Robertta practiced steering while Ellen and I kept watch. I really enjoy navigating home via the bouy lights at night, though it still freaks me out a little to enter the harbor channel using only the lights, unable to see the big rocky jetty. The Richmond channel range markers provided excellent bearings.

Close to home, we looked toward SF and saw fireworks on the Cityfront — what a perfect end to our evening. We pulled into the slip around 11pm.

I stayed at the boat and slept like a log.

This morning I woke up to find sunlight streaming in, and water gently lapping at the hull. I puttered around for awhile, checked email (I brought my work computer) and got dressed. I was pretty grumpy about the boat being a mess inside, but after lunch I decided to practice singlehanding. This ended up being a great idea.

I motored out and practiced sailing with just the jib. The wind was light, so everything was in slow motion. I have found practicing sailing singlehanded is a very rewarding experience. And no matter how often I do it, I am always reminded of past lessons, and taught some new ones. I was reminded how the balance changes with just the jib, and that things need to be thought-through and executed carefully.

The self-steering system is a tremendous tool when I am out there alone, and once I got it adjusted properly it made things so much easier. I was able to raise the main, sail almost to Paradise Cove and back, sail into my marina, and get the main back down under sail without incident. Okay, the light wind also helped make things easier.

While I was out I passed Patience, a beautiful catboat that I think is f!&^ing cool as hell. I didn’t know it is a gaff-rig — very nice.

Anyway, once I got back I did a thorough hose-down. The boat was pretty filthy, which drives me crazy. I flushed the engine, flaked the main, cleaned things up and, reluctantly, headed home.

So another couple days of sailing bliss… sitting here now I still kinda feel the swaying of the waves.

Sat, Aug. 9th, 2003, 09:25 pm

Wednesday I took a personal day and went sailing with Dennis, Harriet and Sandy. We met the incoming boat from Hawaii outside the Golden Gate past Seal Rocks, where I somehow managed to avoid getting seasick [out on the open ocean]. Other than feeling slightly queasy, and the less-than-ideal sailshape on the chartered boat, it was a great mid-week pick me up.

The guys on the boat we met had been at sea for over two weeks; they said hello when we pulled up to their dock at Brickyard, then promptly headed to the showers.

I motored us back to Marina Bay, checked on Amelia and headed back to SF via Marin.

Thu, Aug. 7th, 2003, 11:45 pm